Indian travelers planning a trip to Egypt should have proper travel authorization from their government. As of now, Indian citizens are required to apply for an embassy visa to visit Egypt unless they are applying for a group tourism visa through an Egyptian travel agent recognized by the country’s government.
Many Indians go on a pilgrimage to the holy land covering countries like Egypt and Israel. They typically travel in groups and apply for an eVisa through Egyptian travel agents recognized by their government. Read on to know more about Egyptian visas for Indian citizens.
Yes, the citizens of India need an Egypt to travel to the country. At present, they are not eligible for the electronic visa individually (must be applied in a group) or a visa on arrival. However, getting an embassy visa is not as difficult as it sounds. Visa applications can be smooth and seamless if the applicants know about the process.
A visa is a legal authorization issued by a government to the citizens of a foreign country to visit their nation for various purposes, including tourism, business, study, work, and transit. The Egyptian government issues various types of visas for Indians.
Indians are required to apply through the Egyptian embassy in New Delhi or the consulate in Mumbai to get an Egyptian tourism visa. This Egyptian visa for Indians can be used only for sightseeing and other trips related to tourism. The Egyptian government issues two types of tourism visas for Indian citizens—single-entry visas and multiple-entry visas.
The single-entry visa is granted for a period of three months. However, Indians arriving on this visa can stay up to only 30 days in the country. They can typically enter the country for a single time. If they leave the country within 30 days of permitted stay, they have to get a new visa to re-enter Egypt.
A multiple-entry visa allows Indians to stay in Egypt for up to 30 days on each visit – valid for 6 months. They can visit the neighboring nations and come back to Egypt. If Indian citizens are traveling in groups, one of them can submit multiple visa applications to the embassy. Parents or guardians can submit visa applications for minor children and have to sign their applications.
Both the single and multiple entry visas are sticker/paper visas, and Indians need to apply through the embassy or consulate to get them. The cost of the single-entry visa is approximately Rs 2000 (around 24 USD), whereas the multiple-entry Egyptian visa for Indians costs the applicant around Rs 3000 (around 50 USD).
A business visa for Egypt is granted to citizens of India to attend business meetings, conferences, client meetings, or other business-related endeavors. This can be used for attending meetings in their own company or a venture doing business with their company. The validity of this Egyptian visa for Indians is 90 days, and the permitted duration of stay is one month. The visa allows the applicants multiple entries.
To be eligible for a business visa, the applicants must meet certain criteria. Indian applicants must submit documentary proof, like an invitation to attend the business meeting. They must also meet certain health requirements and do medical checks in clinics recognized by the consulate or embassy before traveling. They must submit proof of good character, and this includes a police clearance certificate from their judicial police station. Indian applicants for an Egyptian business visa also have to provide documentary proof of funds to sustain themselves during their stay. They can submit a statement from their bank or other similar documents. Most business visas are issued for a period of one year.
Indian travelers who have a stopover need to get a transit visa if the duration between the two flights is over 48 hours or if they are planning to leave the airport between the two flights. Indian passengers with a waiting time of more than six hours can get a transit visa by applying through the Egyptian embassy or consulate.
They are required to get this Egypt visa for Indians before landing at an international airport in the African country. They are required to present details of onward tickets and travel itineraries while applying for a transit visa. If their waiting time is less than six hours, they are not allowed to leave the airport and will have to remain in the transit area.
Citizens of India who wish to work in Egypt need to get a work permit or employment visa. Applicants need to apply through the embassy with supporting documents. They need to provide a letter of offer for a job from a company in the country to get this Egypt visa for Indians.
In the case of the Egyptian Business visa, they have to submit a police clearance and medical certificate along with their completed application form, passport-size photographs, and legally valid passport.
Indian students who wish to study in Egypt have to generally start their visa application process after receiving the confirmation letter from a university or educational institution in the country. They have to first get an entry/tourist visa that allows them to cross Egyptian borders. Once they arrive, they need to receive a student pass and start applying for a student visa through their chosen university. They should register their names and start the application for this Egyptian visa for Indians within seven days of arrival at the nearest business office, which will facilitate their student visa.
They also should pay the complete course fee in advance and also the visa processing fee. After verification by the Egyptian Ministry of interior affairs, they will be granted a student visa for the total duration of their study. It is always good to do research on the requirements and criteria for a student visa. They can directly enquire in the consulate or embassy to clear their doubts.
Read in depth article on Student Visa
Indians are not eligible for individual eVisas. However, they can apply for an Egyptian electronic visa provided they are applying in a group through an Egyptian travel agent recognized by the Egyptian government. The agent needs to be waiting for them at the port of entry and pick them up from there. This Egypt Visa for Indians is issued only for short stays related to tourism.
To boost tourism, the Egyptian government recently introduced emergency tourism visas to citizens of six foreign countries, including Indians. The emergency visa for tourism is granted to tourists from these countries for 15 days if they meet certain criteria. They have to provide a return ticket, a confirmed hotel reservation, and proof of funds to sustain themselves during their stay.
It is to be noted that an Egypt visa for Indians does not guarantee a foreigner’s entry to the nation. They have to go through customs and immigration. They may also have to face a few queries from the officers. The decision is left to the discretion of these officers, and incorrect answers may result in a foreigner’s entry being rejected.
The Egyptian government issues various types of visas for Indian citizens, including tourism, business, transit, employment, and student visas. It is important for Indian travelers to follow the application process carefully and ensure they meet all the eligibility criteria. With proper preparation and adherence to the procedures, obtaining an Egypt visa for Indians can be a smooth process.